Burns votes to override Wolf veto, reopen businesses in PA

Although measure fails, Burns says it sends powerful message

HARRISBURG, May 26 – State Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, last week voted to override Gov. Tom Wolf’s veto of a bill that would have allowed allow numerous industries to reopen provided they comply with CDC guidelines. Even though the override vote failed 115 to 87, Burns said he felt it sent a powerful message.

“I stood up against the governor and voted to override his veto of a bill that would have allowed businesses across our state to open in a safe, smart and fair manner,” Burns said. “I was elected to represent the will of the people of Cambria County, not Philadelphia, and the people of Cambria County have spoken. We have flattened the curve. We have slowed the spread of the virus. Now we have to act before we destroy our economy.

“Although the veto override may have failed, I believe we have sent a powerful message to the governor and his administration – we need common sense and not fear to rule,” Burns said, who comes from a family that owns a small business and knows first-hand the struggles business owners are facing. “We need to make sure families can put food on the table, and we need to stop pretending that big box retailers like Walmart are somehow safer than our local family-owned local businesses. We can be safe, and we can allow family-sustaining businesses to voluntarily reopen if they choose to do so. It’s time to move forward and to restore the American Dream -- before it’s too late.”

House Bill 2388, would have required the secretary of the Department of Community and Economic Development to immediately issue a waiver to the COVID-19 Business Closure Order to: vehicle dealers, lawn and garden centers, cosmetologists, salons, barber shops, messenger and agent services, animal grooming services, and manufacturing operations. 

It had passed the House and Senate but was vetoed by the governor earlier last week.